Oil purifying apparatus



A ril 24, 1934. CAMMEN 1,955,903

OIL PURIFYING APPARATUS= Filed Dec. 17, 1952 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS 4 45 edwith a layer of Patented Apr. 24, 1934 1,955,903 on. rmurrme APPARATUS ILeon Gammon, New York, N. Y., assignor to I Preston Davie, New York, N.Y.

- Application December 17, 1932, Serial No. 693,760

5 Llalms. (U1. 210- 165) This invention relates to apparatus forpurifying the oil in a lubricating oil system of an internal combustionengine or the like. It has for its particular objects: First, theprovision of a simple '6 means for indicating whether or not such ap-'paratus is properly functioning; and, second, means whereby theapparatus may be easily cleaned and blown out without removing it fromits installed location, in the event the indicatin means shows'thatcleaning is required for continued efficient operation.

Purification of the oil and the selective separation thereof fromcommingled sludges, suspensions, water and the like in lubricating oilsysl5 terns may be readily obtained by employing a surface tensiondialyzer element assembled in a closed container, as described in mycopending application, Serial No. 638,329, filed October 18, 1932. Sucha dialyzer element may be briefly described as a hollow cylindricalforaminous element of a substantial but uniform thickness between itsconcentric cylindrical walls, and where-,- in a myriad of uniform. andsubstantially identical macroscopic (in contradistinction to micro- '25scopic) foramina provide a myriad of macroscopic continuous passages ofsubstantially greater length than the greatest dimension of crosssection thereof through which thelubricating -oil flows as separateconfined streams from one cylindrical surface of the element to theother, upon the application of a. proper predetermined and regulatedeffective pressureto the exclusion of the contaminants commingledtherewith, I

It is also pointedout in the aforementioned pending application that itis highly undesirable to permit sludge and other like material,selectively separated from the oil by the dialyzer element, to remainfor long in contact with the sur- 40 face of the dialyzer elementinterposed in the path of the contaminated oil to be purified.Nevertheless, it has been found after periods of continued use and inspite of vibration, that the surface of such an element tends to becomecoatsludge which may include not only solid material, such as particlesof dirt, metal chips, or carbon particles, but also heavy gummysubstances. It has also been found that some of such material inevitablyfinds its way into the foramina of the element and tends to graduallyclog it. This tendency to form a coating upon the surface of .theelement and to clog the foramina takes place over difierent intervals,depending upon the length of time which the engine may 'have been run,the quality of the'oil, the temperature and operating condition of theengine and bearings, etc.

Recognizing this difficulty, cordance with the invention, a very simplebut I rovide, in aceffective means whereby the operator of an engine orthe like may ascertain from time to time the operating condition of sucha dialyzer element, so that if it is not properly functioning theelement may be cleaned and blown out without removing it from itsinstalled location.

The indicating means of ably comprises an auxiliary the inventionpreferpassage communicating with that surface of the dialyzer elementfrom which the purified oilis returned to the lubricating system. Thisadapted to be'closed by a screw cap permits a free'fiow of oil if theelement is functioning properly.

not flow freely, or at all,

auxiliary passage is during normal operation or the like which, whenremoved,

from the passage only Oil will from the passage if the element is notfunctioning, due either to.an

accumulation of a layer of sludge on its operating surface or toclogging of the foramina.

Upon observing that oil does not flow the cap is removed, the

auxiliary passage when from the '30 element may be cleaned and blown outin its installed location by removing the drainage plug from the sludgechamber at the bottom of the container, as generally described in'myaforementioned copending application, 638,329, filed October 18, 1932.Bu

invention,

ance with the present valve in the outlet port of Serial No.

, in accord- I provide a the dialyzer element container, which becomesspring-seated upon removal of the drainage plug. When the springpressedvalve is seated, it

effectively prevents a flow of oil or an escape of fluid pressure backinto the oil storage chamb case, when air pressure is or the like. Thus,sage serves a double indication of whether or functioning. properly, andmission of air to the er, usually the crank supplied to the auxiliaryindicating passage by means of a tire hose the auxiliary indicatingpaspurpose I First, for the not the element is second, for the ad innersurface of the element for the purpose of blowing out and cleaning theforamina thereof, for the like which may have operating surface of theelement, andforcomthe container including the pletely. evacuating sludgechamber.

Replacement of tainer sealsthe' sump or also lifts the valve fromremoving sludge and accumulated on the 1 the drainage plug intheconsludge chamber. It its seat against the action of the spring toagain permit of the normal flow of oil through the outlet port. Thus nodirect manipulation of the valve is required,

nor is it possible for vibration to cause the valve 6 to become seated.-After the drainage plug is replaced, the air hose may be removed fromthe auxiliary passage, the engine started (or the starter employed toturn it over), and the operator may then observe if the cleaningoperation has been successful. If it has not, further blowing out may berequired. If, however, the cleaning has been eifective, the cap isreplaced on the auxiliary passage and the element is ready to againperform its intended purpose.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be hadto the following description of the preferred embodiment illustrated inthe accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is an axialsection through anoil purifying unit embodying this invention; and

Fig. 2 is a section through the outlet port and auxiliary passage of theunit along the line 22 of Fig. 1.

For purposes of illustration, the element 10 mounted in the container 11may be the dialyzing element described in my copending application,Serial No. 638,329, filed October 18, 1932.

However, the invention may be employed to' equal advantage with othersimilar elements assembled in like containers.

The element 10 is supported between the top 12 of the container 11 and abottom plate 13 by means of bolts or rods 14, which are tightened downto draw top 12 and plate, 13 together to secure the necessary contiguityof the convolutions of the helically wound element 10. Sealed in the top12 of the container 10 at two points are the respective inlet and outletports 15 and 16, which are a part of a fitting casting 17. The

the oil pump or other circulating means, whereby lubricating oil isintroduced into container 11.

The element 10 is arranged eccentrically in the 6ontainer 11 to providesufllcient room for un- 45, obstructed flow of the oil from the inletport 15.

T The interior surface of the element 10-communiates directlywith theoutlet port 16 through which the purified oil is normally discharged.

The inlet port 15 also communicates with bypass 19, which in turncommunicates with discharge pipe 20. A ball check valve 21 is var-'ranged between port 16 and by-pass '19 and isnormally held unseated bythe pressure of the oil flowing from the inner surface of the element10. By-pass 19 communicates through passage 22 with the inlet port 15.But passage 22 is normallyclosed by a ball valve 23 held 'in the seatedposition by a spring 24 which extends between the ball 23 and a plug 25,closing the end of by-.-.pass 19. The spring 24 is adjusted to holdbye-pass l9 closed when the, element 10 is functioning properly, butwhen the element '10 becomes clogged the consequent increase in thepressure of the oil in the container 11 unseats ball 23 so that the oilis by-passedaround the element 10 from inlet pipe 18 through the passage 22, by:pass 19 to the outlet pipe 20.

Located within outlet port 16 is a normally open valve 26 which ismounted on the end of a rod 27 which passes through a packing gland 28in bottom plate 13. One end of the rod 27 normally rests upon the drainplug 29. The drain plug serves to close the outlet 30 of the 1 sludgechamber or sump 31 of the container 11. 5 A collar 32 is secured on rod27 and between pressed on its seat as will be understood.

inlet 15 communicates with pipe 18 leading from this collar and gland 28is interposed a coiled spring 33 which tends to hold the valve 26 on itsseat. When the drain plug 29 is removed from the outlet 30, the valve 26becomes spring- Communicating with outlet port 16 at a point betweenvalve 26 and the element 10, is anauxiliary passage 34 in the. fitting1'7, as shown in. Fig. 2. This auxiliary passage 34 is normally closedby a removable cap 35 threaded upon the outer end of a nipple 36 securedin the outer end of passage 34. The threads on the outer end of thenipple are intended to accommodate the coupling of the usual tire airhose.

In operation, the oil is circulated by the oil pump of the enginethrough inlet pipe 18- and inlet port 15 into the container 11. The oilflows under pressure through the foramina of the element 10 to theexclusion of the contaminants originally commingled with the oil, which,may include solid particles, oil sludge, water and the like.

Although it is intended that the contaminating masses collect 'in thesludge chamber or sump 31 of the container 11, by reason of thevibration of the engine or vehicle' or having gradually 'settled bygravity, nevertheless some of this material, which is in the form of a.gummy sludge or the like, may adhere to the operating surface of theelement 10.

If the surface of the element 10 becomes coated with a layer of sludge,or if the foramina thereof become clogged, the element will no longerfunction properly. As clogging increases, the I pressure of the oilaccordingly builds up within container 11 until it overcomes spring 24and un-' seats by-pass valve 23,50 that contaminated oil is by-passedaround the element 10 and fiows directly back into the system throughthe outlet pipe 20,'the outlet port 16 being closed against the ingressof contaminated-oil by ball-check valve 21. v

This by-passing of the oil is obviously undesirable. However, with theindicating device of this invention, the operator of the vehicle mayreadily ascertain whether or not theelement is functioning properly. Inorder to so ascertain, it is only necessary to remove the cap 35 and, ifthe element 10 is functioning properly, oil will flow freely out ofauxiliary passage 34. If the element 10 is clogged, little if any oilwill flow out of passage 34, indicating that the by-pass valve 23 isopen and contaminated oil is being returned to the crank case of theengine.

' In order to remedy this condition, the operator may remove drain plug29 and the sludge or the like collected in sump 31, together with theoil in container 11, flows out. Also, the removal of drain plug 29releases rod 2'7 of valve 26 so that spring 33 forces the rod27downwardly to springpress'the valve 26 on its seat, thereby shuttingoil the interior of the element 10 from all outlets except the auxiliarypassage 34. Then compressed air from a tire inflating hose, for example,may be supplied to the passage 34 and the sludge and other materialadhering to the surface of element 10 or contained within the foraminaare ejected and blown off by the air blast. The valve 26 closes theoutlet port 16' against the leakage of air therethrough, the spring 23being strong enough to hold the valve 26 on its seat against the airpressure.

Although inlet port 15 remains open, the oil circulating pump serves asa seal, so that air does not escape through inlet port 15. The sludgeelected in this way from the element 10 is discharged through the outlet30 of sump 31. After the element 10 has been cleaned in this fashion,plug 29 is replaced and as it is screwed in the outlet 30, it lifts rod27 against the action of the spring and reopens valve. 26. The cap 35 isthen replaced on the indicating passage and the element is again readyfor operation.

It will be seen that the arrangement ofvalve 26 eliminates thepossibility that the operator will forget. to open and close valves,since it is opened and closed automatically by replacement or removal ofplug 29.

I claim:

1. In an oil purifying apparatus, the combination of an element adaptedto selectively separate oil from contaminating masses commingledtherewith, a closed container for said element, oil inlet and outletports in said container, a drainage port in said container, withdrawablemeans for closing said drainage port, means for indicating the operatingcondition of said element and the flow of oil therethrough, aspring-pressed valve arranged in said outlet port adapted to, close thesame, means including a rod actuating said valve for opening the valveagainst the action of the spring to open the outlet port when said meansfor closing the drainage port is in place, and to close the valve andthe outlet port when said means for closing the drainage port iswithdrawn.

2. In an oil purifying apparatus, the combina tion of an element adaptedto selectively separate oil from contaminating masses commingledtherewith, a closed container for said element and providing a sump, oilinlet and outlet ports in said container, a drainage port in said sump,a withdrawable plug for said drainage port, means for indicating theoperating condition of said element and the flow of oil therethrough, aspringpressed valve arrmged in said outlet port adapted to close thesame,a rod for actuating said valve extending through said element,means including said rod and said plug for opening said valve when theplug is inserted in the drainage port and for closing the valve when theplug is withdrawn.

3. In an. oil purifying apparatus, the combination of a hollowcylindrical foraminous element adapted to selectively separate oil fromcontaminating masses commingled therewith, a closed container for saidelement and providing a sump, oil inlet and outlet ports in saidcontainer, a drainage port in said sump, a withdrawable plug for saiddrainage port, an auxiliary passage in said container communicating withthe inner cylindrical surface of said element for indicating by the flowof oil therefrom the operating condition of said element and a flow ofoil from its outer surface to its inner surface, a fitting for saidpassage adapted to enable the application of fluid pressure to the innersurface of the element, a spring-pressed valve arranged in said outletport adapted to close the same, a rod for actuating said valve extendingthrough the interior of said ele ment, means including said rod and saiddrainage plug for opening the valve when the plug is inserted in thedrainage port and for closing the valve when the plug is withdrawn,whereby when said plug is withdrawn and fluid pressureapplied to theinner surface of said element, pressure is prevented from becomingreleased through the outlet port and becomes eifective to evacuate theforamnia of the element, cleanse the surface of the element and evacuatethe container including the sump, through the drainage port.

4. In an oil purifying apparatus, the combination of an element adaptedto selectively separate oil from contaminating masses commingledtherewith, a closed container for said element, oil inlet and outletports in said container, a drainage port in said container, means forclosing said drainage port, a spring-pressed valve arranged in saidoutlet port adapted to close the same, means including a rod actuatingsaid valve for opening the valve against the action of the spring toopen the outlet port upon manipulation of the drainage port closingmeans to close the drainage port, and to close the valve when said meansis manipulated to open the drainage port.

5. In an oil purifying apparatus, the combination of a hollowcylindrical foraminous element adapted to selectively separate oil fromcontaminating masses commingled therewith, a closed container for saidelement and providing a sump, oil inlet and outlet ports in saidcontainer, a drainage port for said sump, means for closing saiddrainage port, a spring-pressed valve arranged in saidoutlet portadapted to close the same, a rod for actuating said valve extendingthrough the interior of said element, means including said rod foropening said valve against the action of the spring to open the outletport upon manipulation of the drainage port closing means to close thedrainage port, and to close the valve when said means is manipulated toopen the drainage port.

LEON CAMMEN.

